"YOU DENTED THE GATE!" the Dwarf Runesmith exploded in outrage, measuring the knuckles indentations into his precious gate.

I smiled a bit sheepish. "I tried to knock gently, but I am a bit too strong."

The Runesmith measured me for muscles, and found them lacking. "At least you do wear proper armor, unlike the other Wizards." the dwarf muttered with a knowing gaze at my magic breastplate.

"Anyways, this is some of the Gromril minerals I found while scouting around Sylvania. Maybe you heard, but the Empire of Man is in the process of retaking Sylvania from the Vampires." I explained with an easy voice, and dropped the sack next to him.

Gromril is quite heavy, so I might have dented the marble plaza in front of the gate too.

The Runesmith grumbled in his beard as he took out bits of mineral and analyzed them, even smelling and tasting them.

"The mineral has been underwater for a long time." he concluded with a sad voice.

"Surely, your forge can dry all the water out. Maybe turn it to steam?" I said with a joking voice, only to see the Dwarf become rather confused and then scared.

"The Gromril is valuable, but not enough for another steam tank!" he answered with a concerned voice.

Eh? I didn't come asking for a steam tank, but if I could get some, why not?

"How much?" I asked instead.

"At least 30 tones of minerals, if you want a steam tank for your army. Plus 10000 gold for my time." the Runesmith demanded in a greedy voice. No wonder steam tanks were rare. I could build 100 War Wagons for the same price. Finding a bear to power the wagon from inside would be easier too. Maybe a bicycle and some gears? I know some circus bears could be trained to ride bikes.

"No. I mean, how much will you pay me for this sack of Gromril?" I countered with a blinding smile.

The Dwarf glanced at me with an annoyed look in his eyes. "Bring me three more sacks like this, and I'll pay you 3000 gold." he offered with a cunning voice.

Good to know. I had a baseline to go after now. "So, for 30 tones of Gromril minerals, you would be willing to pay 90000 gold. I can take such a deal." I said in a calm voice, and watched the Runesmith pale.

"...Too greedy!" he muttered, but didn't refuse.

"Of course, I could use that gold to pay for some runic enchantments and such. My Army of the East has to fight Varghouls and Liches and all sort of monsters. Our guns find their barrels worn out too. We could use 10000 steel barrels for our guns." I continued in a careless voice, busing examining the decorated gate, although the face was vanished now.

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"Not every metal can take the runes. And 10000 is a large order. I cannot do it." the Runesmith said with a sad voice.

"Too bad. I will have to visit more Dwarf cities and propose this deal. Maybe other Runesmiths will not be so busy." I answered in a tragic tone, and began collecting back my Gromril from the desperate Runesmith.

"...Wait! I could ask other Runesmiths to help, and share the payment with them. Only the gold, mind you! I keep all the Gromril myself." the Runesmith demanded, while hanging from the sack of Gromril with all his strength.

I played yo-yo for a minute, but the Dwarf hanged tight, like a kitten to a yarn ball. He must really like the Gromril.

If the fate of my army didn't hang on this deal so much, I would have played with him for hours.

"Fine. 93000 gold. Go and prepare my coin, and I'll go collect the minerals." I allowed while dropping the sack and lifting off.

"Wait! What is your name, human?" the Dwarf asked me in a hurry.

"I am Pef, Warden of the East. And also an Amber Wizard, but not a good one." I disclosed in a proud voice, then flew away to go dig.

It may sound a lot, but 30 tones of mineral took me barely an hour to collect, even if I had to shatter a few mountains. I may not be a good wizard, but I could dig.

Soon after, I returned to Zhufbar with a raft loaded with minerals, 31 tons of Gromril, unrefined. Perhaps I was being scammed on the price, since I might obtain much more if I went to Tilea and set it for auction. But I wasn't only selling, but buying goodwill too. And a Runemaster's time. That was surely a precious commodity too. Much like my own time too.

I had to spread myself thin, flying all over to deal with a crisis or another, visit the big cities and meet craftsmen and Elector Counts, or patrol Sylvania for big monsters or starving humans. And spread out more gold too, for roads and army equipment.

I almost knocked on the gate again, but with amazing will I refrained. Who knew the gate will dent so easily?

Wasn't it supposed to withstand siege artillery?

"Tell the Runesmith that I have returned with more Gromril." I told the gate.

"I already did, Wizard. It will take some time for the elevators to move that much gold." the gate answered in a stoic voice.

Pretty much an artificial intelligence, or a guardian spirit. Maybe a soul bound into the metal? I had no idea how the Dwarves created sentient machinery, but they sure did.

"Were you a Dwarf before you became a gate?" I asked the metal gate, but it didn't answer. Oh well. Forever to remain a mystery then.

An hour later, a hundred more Dwarves emerged from the city, some of them armored and armed, probably a guard for my gold. 93000 gold would tempt anyone.

The Runesmith followed after the escort, and began pilling sacks of gold coins on my raft while removing the still wet minerals. Don't worry, I didn't cheat the Dwarves.

It wasn't like I was selling them poultry meat injected with water to gain more weight.

But even so, I had to make sure. "There are 31 tones of fresh mineral here. However, if you try to claim there was a bit of mud or something like that, after the deal is done, I will come back and demolish your city. I heard all about sneaky Dwarves complaining about deals after they were finished. As if they don't have eyes to measure the merchandise when offered." I said in a cold voice.

The Runesmith glared back at me. "We understand how mining works. There can be some water or mud." he admitted a bit unhappy.

"Great! I need your for other wars to come, against Chaos and Orcs, Beastmen or Dark Elves, even Skaven. It would be a pity if you died before your time." I spoke with a grave voice, then lifted my golden raft and flew away into the sunset. It didn't feel heavy at all.